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Abstract
The prevalence of sexual abuse during childhood or adolescence varies depending on
the definitions and age categories used. This study examines the first national, population-based
data available on child sexual abuse that occurs before age 15 in three countries:
El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. This study uses comparable indicators and measures
of sexual abuse for the three countries to document the prevalence of abuse, types
of perpetrators, and the association of child sexual abuse with recent intimate partner
violence.
Child sexual abuse was defined as sexual abuse that first occurs before age 15. Nationally
representative data from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras were used. In El Salvador,
separate questions on forced intercourse and non-penetrative sexual abuse were asked.
Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed using STATA Version 8SE.
The prevalence of child sexual abuse varied from 7.8% in Honduras to 6.4% in El Salvador
and 4.7% in Guatemala. In all three countries, the overwhelming majority of women
who reported child sexual abuse first experienced the abuse before age 11. Perpetrators
tended to be a family member, a neighbor, or an acquaintance. Bivariate and multivariate
analyses indicated that women who experienced child sexual abuse in Guatemala and
Honduras were about two times more likely to be in violent relationships as women
who did not experience abuse. This relationship was not significant in multivariate
analyses for El Salvador where the prevalence of intimate partner violence was the
lowest.
Child sexual abuse in Central America is clearly a problem with the prevalence between
5% and 8%. Child sexual abuse can have long-term negative health impacts including
exposure to intimate partner violence in adulthood. Programs to prevent abuse and
treat victims of child sexual abuse are needed in Central America.